super uber PRE-n00b from FL

Discussion in 'Say Hello!' started by jaidexl, Jan 21, 2007.

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  1. jaidexl

    jaidexl Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2007
    Messages:
    72
    Location:
    SWFL
    Thanks for the welcomes :)

    Well, my fiance's father-in-law just offered I take over his 65gl for him. It currently hosts a few polyps, shrooms, some inverts, a clownfish and a mandarin goby. He's had some problems with it and I'm not sure they have the time to make it right. I measured over 100ppm nitrates in this tank. :-X

    First, I had to be sure he was going to front the money to make this thing work. I explained his 65w NO fluorescent had to be upgraded and he went with a 2x150hqi aquatraders light. After that I knew he was willing to spend the money so I had him buy a skimmer. I'm not sure what he bought ye, so I don't know if the skimmer is ideal, we'll see. Now I 'm trying to get him to buy an RO/DI, telling him to do more WCs has registered with him a bit but he's using nasty tap water, and I mean measurable na, ni, amm tapwater, so it's getting him nowhere and is probably the main source of his nitrates. After that I'm going to talk him into a few PHs to get more flow going in there, and I'll be researching on how to possibly convert his wet/dry into a macro/pod refuge. I have him picking up a large crew of scarlet hermits, nassarius and astreas to help with the algae that is ensuing from the new lighting. Hopefully, once the water quality is in check, this waste trap will balance out and be ready for more softies and one day the hard corals and clams he wants to keep. Wish me luck.

    Here's a pic of my father-in-laws tank (actinics only).
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2007
    jaidexl, Dec 4, 2007
    jaidexl, Dec 4, 2007
    #31

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  2. omard

    omard Gnarly Old Codfish

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
    Messages:
    4,745
    Location:
    Silverdale, Washington
    Keep pushing him. - Tell him you really need to upgrade to a 125 gal. ;)

    Good Luck!

    ;D
     
    omard, Dec 4, 2007
    omard, Dec 4, 2007
    #32
  3. jaidexl

    jaidexl Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2007
    Messages:
    72
    Location:
    SWFL
    Funny you say that, he has an empty one sitting in the garage :smug2:

    Honestly though, I'm afraid to see it setup. I'd be talking him into an autoWC setup for sure. There's a chance it may become a planted tank though, in which case I'll set him up with medium light, slow growers and no fert regiment. Much easier on my nerves, this is one of those houses that makes you cringe every time you walk in and see the state of the tanks.

    Speaking of which, anyone in here do planted tanks?
     
    jaidexl, Dec 6, 2007
    jaidexl, Dec 6, 2007
    #33
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